(this is my current camera, I love it, it is a great camera but inside pictures could be better and pictures of the nieces are almost always blurry unless they are posing outside in the sun)
So I’ll be paying off the last of our non-house debt (my student loan) this week. That means we’ll be debt-free except the house (Dave Ramsey shout out). But I’ve been wanting a good camera for a while and I’m thinking that I may use some of my Halloween costume earnings towards one this year. But I’m not sure where to start. So I figured I’d reach out to you guys. Here’s a bit about how I take pictures and what’s important to me.
What I want out of a camera
- I’m not going to be a professional photographer, I’m not going to ever want gigantic prints. I just want to take better quality pictures.
- I take pictures of clothing for my Etsy shop (but really I think my point and shoot is adequate for that)
- I want a camera that can take pictures of kids well. They move so fast and I want less blurry pictures
- I want to be able to take decent pictures inside (again of kids that won’t stay still)
- I want to be able to take pictures in low light/not the best light circumstances without that hideous flash look
- I want something that if I notice I want to take a picture I won’t miss the moment while the camera is getting ready, turning on, etc.
The questions I can think of
- What cameras do you love and why?
- Are there certain places I should look for a camera, places I should avoid?
- What what would you consider a good deal or package?
- What lenses, other accessories (bounce flash?) do you find you use a lot? What are fun to have? What do you think is a waste of money?
- Do you have any links to things I can read or opinions of cameras?
- Are some just easier to use than others or is it just a matter of what you’re comfortable with and what you want to invest time to figure out?
- Do you have questions for me to think through when I’m thinking about what camera is for me?
- For those of you who aren’t photographers how offend do you really use your DSLR, do you find it annoying, heavy, big to lug around?
- What do you think of the other brands (like not canon or nikon)?
- What are long term things I should consider (maybe price of lenses, stuff like that that I have no idea about yet)?
- Do I want a DSLR or maybe just a more fancy regular camera?
shannon says
I just bought a Canon T3. I wanted the T2i but after talking to friends, reading reviews, and trying the camera out myself, I realized that T3 worked perfect for my purposes, produced amazing photos, and would be $300 less than the T2i. I bought mine at our military exchange…probably not an option for you, but I was shopping around and found similar good deals. Once you know what camera you want, amazon.com is a good resource also, just be sure to check the return policy. I am clumsy and have 4 little ones, so I paid for the store insurance– which was $70 but they will replace my $500 camera if I drop it, run it over, or drop it in the sink. Finally…I LOVE my camera. It is easy to use and I LOVE the quality of the pictures. I did just order a lens (I knew I was going to do this when I bought it) that will take better close up, portrait style pictures. I totally recommend the T3….you can see some of my recent pictures with my new toy in this post: http://nelsonpartyoffive.blogspot.com/2011/09/watching-them-grow.html
Good luck!!! And congrats on being debt free!!
marissa says
thanks Shannon, off to check out your pictures!
Ashley F says
Ok while I am a photographer (on the side) I own a Canon T1i which is in the EOS Rebel line. I love my camera for shots of my niece and little siblings running around as well. I do a wide range of photography including wedding receptions. One thing I couldn’t do without for receptions and other low light areas that flash is pretty much required is a Speedlight. You can either bounce it or I have a diffuser that’s collapsable that I put on it and then aim it right at the person.
The T1i may be more than what you’re looking for, but it does have an HD video feature you may love with your kids.
As for stores, mine was purchased from Best Buy, but definitely check out Ritz Camera, Adorama, B&H, and Amazon. I would use and have used Amazon for accessories like SD cards, battery chargers, batteries, and flashes.
Good luck!
Mary Ann says
I had a Canon Rebel XT for the past 6 years and LOVED it. It was only 8 megapixels but produced SHARP pictures. My husband lost it last week while out with the kids (horrifying!) and bought me a new one to replace it. I was looking at the Canon T3i’s and the T2i’s…but went with the 60D. I’m just starting to get the groove of it, but it’s AMAZING for photos without the flash. The Rebel XT I had was a hit or miss without flash, but the 60D is beautiful, even in low light. Today was really dark and grey in Illinois but all my pictures looked like it was nice and sunny outside…no inside lights were turned on. There is a video feature that is also amazing…so essentially, it works like a camera and a video. It hooks up to TV via HDMI cable…it’s a beauty. I know that the T3i and the 60D are really similar, but the T3i is $400 cheaper. My husband agreed to buy me a comparable amount to the Rebel XT. So, 6 years ago, the Rebel XT cost me the same as the 60D this year.
The lens I used to use was a 55mm Canon. The one that came with the current camera is 18-135mm. Great for different distances. It’s a bit heavier than what I’m used to. I hear the macro lenses are better to invest in, but are pricier.
I bought mine at Sam’s Club. The price went down $200 this week and is cheaper than what I’ve seen on Amazon, Best Buy, and other camera stores online.
My sister has a Nikon DSLR. She doesn’t use it much. She prefers her point and shoot. When I took pictures on it, it felt like a nice camera, but I can’t speak past that. I don’t know what the photos look like printed out or on the computer. Good luck!
Amber Liddle says
I have a Canon Rebel Xsi, I got it three-ish years ago. I like it but the flash is still the horrible flash you’re talking of! So if you do get a nice camera, invest in a flash, too. Being able to have light without it pointing directly at your subject is so nice, it won’t matter what time of day or weather you have.
Got mine from Ritz but I wish I’d gotten it from Best Buy. They have really good extended warranties that cover pretty much anything.
Oh, and I’ve heard from photog. friends that a 50mm lens is a must, but I just use the kit lens.
Amber Liddle says
I’m not a photographer, either, just use it for kids and etsy. I use my camera all the time, we don’t have a point and shoot. Sometimes I wish we did but I’m so used to lugging it around it hasn’t been a big deal.
Marjorie says
I got the Canon S95 for Christmas last year. It’s a really great compact/dslr hybrid. It’s about the same size as your average p&s, but you can switch to manual controls. It does pretty much everything a dslr can do but maybe not to the same extent, if that makes sense. It’s worth looking into if you aren’t sure what you want. I like that it’s small and lightweight so i can just toss it in my purse but still take really beautiful pictures.
charlesalvarez23 says
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little kim says
I have a Sony Nex-3. It’s a hybrid DSLR. It’s smaller and lighter than a regular DSLR but you can remove the lenses just like a DSLR. If you buy an adaptor you can use other company lenses (ex. Nikon).